The Scarlet Letter’s Kissing Cousin

If this is the only way to get you away from your computer and that cursed blog to which you seem addicted, then so be it!

Do you remember that delightful classic, The Scarlet Letter? Naughty Hester wore a red “A” pinned on every piece of clothing she owned (roughly 3 garments) to broadcast to everyone in her village (roughly 30 people) that a married man lusted after her. His lapels were “A-less.” Stitchery and shame were quite popular among Puritan women. Lusting after women and passing judgement on lust-worthy women were manly pursuits. If you missed the book or the movie, I just saved you time and points in trivia games involving literature. (NOTE: I probably missed some important details and skewed a few plot lines, but so did the movie.)

See? It's all her fault! Look at the seductive way she's dressed. That poor man just can't help himself as he grabs her from behind and over-powers her. She has all the control.

The Scarlet Letter stood for “adulter” not “awesome.” It was a way of stigmatizing women in the hopes that they would stop teasing weak, married men who couldn’t control themselves around all those corsets and layers of heavy fabric covering women from neck to toe.

I’m feeling stigmatized by some people in my Village, but not for the reason Hester was. I should use my quilter’s skills and fashion a bright, bold “B” to pin on my garments. The “B” stands for Blogger and is the Scarlet Letter’s Kissing Cousin (being so close to “A”). My Village assumes I’ve gone to the “B” Dark Side along with legions of others who waste their time in front of a computer screen when they could be doing something productive like watching Reality TV or playing bingo.

Here’s how I know I was Hester’s cyber-hussy equivalent:

When I talk about writing, my Villiagers lean in; when I talk about blogging, my Villagers slowly back away with worried expressions;

Let's get the heck out of here, Ralph, Lorna has finally lost her marbles.

My Villagers express concern that I’m becoming one of “those people” who spend all their time on the computer, develop agorophobia, and paste newspaper clippings of government conspiracies over my walls (which is totally unlikely because I don’t read the newspaper).

This could be considered recycling or DYI home decorating, but whatever...Some people will always judge.

Regardless of my explanations about how blogging is an effective way to get my writing “out there,” Villagers seem suspicious–like I’m justifying my obsession with World of Warcraft 4.2.

I do NOT look like this at my computer. I have a lap top and I drink only herbal tea. So there!

A few of my Villagers, like a few of Hester’s friends, support me. But, by and large, my Villagers think blogging is just like cruising online porn sites–a terrible waste of human potential and will ultimately lead to trouble.

"It's so horrible! It's so awful! I have to keep watching to see if Lorna gets any worse."

Labels are dangerous. Once affixed (like the embroidered “A” or “B”) they are loaded with meaning that is impossible to sway. Perhaps I need another word for “blogging” that my Villagers would accept as productive and appropriate for a 53-year-old former sociology professor.

Lorna, I am cracking up! I am personally under the impression that I would rock the A or the B… or whatever other letter society wants to stick on my chest so they can point at me and laugh… those that stand out are usually the ones making the difference!! Wear your B girl!!! 😉

Most of them say they’re too busy to spend time on the computer during their “off time.” Others are not technolgically inclined and would read my stuff in an instant if I printed it out. I’ve decided to stop hounding them. I’d rather spend my time encouraging other wonderful blogger like you and writing, writing, writing. If they jump on board, wonderful. If they choose to stay on the dock, that’s their choice. I just wish my son would make his presense known… but I have to let that one go, too.

Thanks, Molly!

mollyJul 29, 2011 @ 18:53:12

Okay – so why isn’t this genius and brialliant scribe appreciated by the home crew? Could be you’re surpassing expectations of a sociology professor by ta-tinging, wee-pinging and i-winging – seriously unique stuff – could this be a case of ‘tall poppy’ syndrome in the village? cheers catchul8r molly

Technically, technical writing is writing, right? I think it would make a great blog topic and well worth the risk of a few eye-rolls. Maybe those eye-rolling people will thank us. I’m told exercising the eye muscles keeps the eyes healthier…;)

Oh dear – nothing worse than becoming a member of a community (Villagers) that is misunderstood. Though not sure I would classify my blogging as an extension of a developing writer. Professionally I’m a technical writer (just the facts, ma’am) and seriously envy those creative minds that convert their thoughts to words. Aha — that sounds like an upcoming blog post–technical writing. Should I risk another roll of the eyes when blogging? Sure, why not–I won’t be alone. Thanks for being there everyone!

I love the way you think. I’m hoping that one day the Villagers will come to appreciate this medium as a valid way to express ourselves, not a silly waste of time (kind of like the people thought about the telephone when it was first invented!).

Oh love love love this. I haven’t told a lot of people around me that I blog. Because, well I will be writing about them at some point 😉 I guess I should get a ‘B’ shouldn’t I? The sane ones have been informed.
And that is why I love the blogger community so much. We know we aren’t wasting our time, we know blogging isn’t all that addictive (well less than weed at least) and its amazing fun. To hell with those pitch-fork and torch bearers in your village, we have each other! One day when they find out that people across the oceans appreciate our work too, they’ll build temples for us 😛

Hi Val! Glad you dropped in and thanks so much for commenting. I knew I couldn’t be alone in this general reaction to my new avocation. I want to shake people and tell them, “I’m a writer who blogs to develop my craft, not a blogger who drools!” Of course, I may release a bit a spittle in my enthusiasm, which would kind of negate my message… 😉 Hope you keep coming back!

Free, you are so right! I feel so much more free to write the stories that have been waiting to be written BECAUSE of this blog. I wish others I care about could understand how liberating it is as a writer to have words that were once stuck inside come pouring out AND have instant feedback. Plus, I have come to know a whole community of writers from all walks of life who entertain me, make me think, and are simply delightful.

I was taught to share. All I want to do is share this magical world with people I love. It just isn’t happening…yet. Thanks for your comment. I’m glad to know that I’m not alone in this.

Picture my head hung in shame as I frantically stitch my Scarlet B on my bodice. I’ll make one for my lap top if you men-folk will feel safer from my obvious text-appeal. I really should be ashamed of myself. Someone shut me up!

ValJul 28, 2011 @ 10:38:34

Love the post, what fun! I just surfed in from A Lighter Shade of Grey, and am glad I did!

Only a few people peer down their noses at my blogging interest… ah, habit… er, obsession. And the usual form is one of two, either “oh no here we go again” and that look which signifies that the person’s just about to turn off their brain (I’d love to know where the control for that is, wouldn’t you?) or “isn’t that what teenagers do?”

If I didn’t have such a maniacial need for approval, I would like have the same attitude. But I really don’t want to be shunned by my Village. I think I need to seek counseling. No, wait. I can’t. I don’t have time. Too many stories to write for my blog. I’m doomed!

I sure hope so. We are writers using this medium (rather than pen and paper)–that’s how I see it. But I know from “cocktail party talk” that a great many people misunderstand blogging as something of a waste of time. It’s really too bad. But I, too, wear my Scarlet “B” with honor and hope that these people will read my book (in which I will acknowledge all of my WordPress pals for lighting a fire in my rascally writer’s imagination) and say “Hey, I remember backing away from a conversation with her…”

Oh no you’ve confirmed my worst fears about how bloggers are viewed by others. Being new to blogging I haven’t confessed to very many people but as this obsession to write seems to be staying with me I will wear my ‘B’ with pride. Maybe one day the critics and doubters will come to understand me?

I think before I began blogging and learned its benefits, I thought of bloggers as hapless hipsters wasting large amounts of their time. As egotistical nut jobs, but I think there are some good, fun blogs. Also, I find it immediately gratifying unlike writing fiction. Writing a book, you have to wait years before someone can tell you they like it. With a blog, it takes only a few minutes for someone to click “like.” And that sort of immediate feedback and continuous readership makes me feel good.

You wicked temptress! Luring the likes of someone like me, a married man, to your website, replete with haughtiness, flirtations, humor, and otherwise witty commentary! Scornful behavior indeed! Not only that, while I was possessed by that evil spell you put on me by reading your Blog, I was compelled to hit the like button. This is madness!

Scarlet B? You should lucky that the village elders do not insist your laptop be fitted with a medieval chastity device!

I’m usually greeted with silence, so I don’t share. It makes me feel like I’m standing on an island. Alone. Which then, makes me feel somewhat weird. Since my relationship with ‘others’ is defined by blogging, computers, etc, I don’t feel like I’m in good company to share this other world I’m in.

Thank you for this post Lorna. My son asked me if I was going through a mid life crisis. My wife views my posts with suspicion that my creative instincts threaten her privacy. Some folks are very supportive. I must admit that I enjoy telling the world, “This is who I am and I am not afraid of this!” It’s up to you who read my stuff to figure out how to deal with it. My thought is ” Free at last, free at last, Thank God almighty free at last!

Silence can be just what the doctor ordered. You know I'm a doctor, right? Cancel reply

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